Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 21,198, Thomas Field, R.I.

SERVICE
NUMBER
R.I.
Field, Thomas.
821.198
Carded
CONTENTS
Twelve horizontal dotted lines for writing entries.
Twelve horizontal dotted lines for writing entries.

30,225
Rhode Island
Thomas Field, late of Providence in the State of Rhode Island who was a Lieut in the Company commanded by Captain Miller of the reg t commanded by ... in the R.I.
line for 7 months and 21 days. Certificate issued in favor of ... Pileg, Isaac, Thomas & Jeremiah Field ... Pratt, Amy, Mary, Abigail, Betsey, Sarah, Molly, William, ...
Inscribed on the Roll of Rhode Island at the rate of 102 Dollars 22 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 22 d day of October 1835 and Seattle
Arrears to the 4th of Semi-ant. allowance ending Arrears to 27 July Jan 7 1833 the day of pensioner's death $193,90
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Dan Boyds Clerk Book 82 Vol. Page 92
Let to W. H. ... 26 Oct 1835
Handwritten notes: 23, 5.88, 8, 102

State of Rhode Island
County of Providence
On this 21 day of September A.D. 1830 personally was present before me William Alphin one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas within and for said county being a Court of Record. Thomas Field a resident of Scituate in the county of Providence in said State of Rhode Island aged 91 years who from bodily infirmity is unable to appear in open Court, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the Acts of Congress passed June 9 th 1830. viz. He was born in the Town of Providence in the year 1740 and resided there until he was twenty five years of age, His birth is recorded in the family Bible now in his possession and also is recorded in the Town records in said Providence. He resided in said Scituate when called into Service, He has resided here since the revolutionary war where he never resided in said Scituate. And the applicant further states that he served in Bristol in this State in the revolutionary war for one month as a Lieutenant in a Company of Rhode Island Militia commanded by Capt. Samuel Wilson. And the applicant further states that he cannot recollect what year it was that he went to Bristol but it was immediately after the British went to Newport he thinks in the year 1775. In the same year or the next year, he went to Newport in the same Company aforesaid, and served there twenty days, and then retreated off of the Island to Scituate, where he did duty for one month. And the applicant further states that he went to Warwick in this State and served there for one month and the applicant further states that during the war he went he thinks he went to said Warwick, as much as four times on monthly tours of duty or nearly for a month each, and at other times he was called upon to go upon alarms very frequently, in all more than twelve times. In all these excursions and in all the monthly tours of duty or for shorter terms he did duty as a Lieutenant in Capt. Samuel Wilson's Company. He was commissioned by the General Assembly of this State for a number of years. Such of his commissions as he has not lost he sends herewith. And the applicant further states that in the whole war he did duty in all as much as sixteen or seventeen months. He is very old and his memory much impaired, so much so, that he presumes it cannot now be expected of him to state specifically all the times he served

the next year, he went to Newports in the same Company aforesaid, and served there twenty days, and then retreated off of Rhode Island to Providence, where he did duty for one month, and the applicant further states that he went to Narragansett in this State and served there for one month, and the applicant further states that during the war he went to said Narragansett, as much as four times on monthly tours of duty or usually for a month each, and at other times, he was called upon to go upon alarm very frequently, in all more than twelve times. In all these excursions and in all the monthly tours of duty, or for shorter terms he did duty as a Lieutenant in Capt. Samuel Wilbur's Company. He was commissioned by the General Assembly of this State for a number of years. Such of his commissions as he has not lost he sends herewith. And the applicant further states that in the whole war he did duty in all as much as sixteen or seventeen months. He is very old and his memory is much impaired, so much so, that he presumes it cannot now be expected of him to state specifically all the times he served. He expects the testimony of Elder John Harriman will prove a considerable part of his services. He has no documentary evidence other than his commissions herewith sent to prove his services nor does he know of any person living other than said Harriman and Capt. Samuel Wilbur who is now 94 years of age and who has almost wholly lost his memory to prove his services. In all his services he went as a volunteer receiving orders from the commanding Col who gave orders to Capt. Wilbur which orders were transmitted to him. And the applicant further states that said Company was part of the time under the command of Col. Cornell part of the time under Col. West and part of the time under Col. Kimball, all these officers he well remembers also Col. Israel Putnam, General Boston and others of the officers of the revolution. And the applicant further states that he never had any written discharge nor did he ever hold any commission other than aforesaid. He hereby relinquishes every claim to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any state.
Thomas Field
Sworn and subscribed before me, the day and year aforesaid W. Aylesworth
And to the said Aylesworth certify my opinion, after

72 investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that David Thompson Field was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states - And I do further certify that said applicant is as I verily believe ninety one years of age, and that his great age and infirmities render him wholly unable to attend court
M. Aplin Jr. C. C. Field

State of Rhode Island County of Providence
Personally appeared in open Court being the Municipal Court of Court of Probate within for the City of Providence Thomas Field of Situate in said County who maketh oath that Thomas Field, who made an application for a pension on the 21 st day of September A.D. 1832 before William Aplin Esq a Justice of the Court of Common Pleas within said County to obtain the pro- visions of an act of Congress passed June 7 A.D. 1832 is now deceased, that he departed this life on the 27 day of January A.D. 1833 at said Situate that he left no widow & that the following persons are his children & that they are still living viz Waterman Field & Phebe Field both now living in New Berlin in the State of New York Grace Field Thomas Field & Jeremiah Field all three now living in said Situate Ellen Pratt widow of said Situate, Molly Wilson wife of Job Wilson of Cranston Anna Madbury wife of Benjamin Madbury of said New Berlin Abigail Hill wife of Job Hill also of said New Berlin Betsy Hopkins wife of Emory Hopkins

of Foster in said County of Providence, - that the aforementioned five sons & five daughters are still living - that the said deceased Thomas Field also left two grand children viz Jeremiah of Scituate  R.I. & Betsey Dugill wife of Stephen Dugill of Scituate aforesaid, the said Jeremiah & Betsey were children of Mary Fuller who was a daughter of said Thomas Field who is now deceased, she was the wife, when living of Pery Fuller. Both of said Grand children are still living & are over twenty one years of age. -
And the said Thomas further maketh oath that he believes that his father served in the Revolutionary war as many monthly terms of duty as he has stated in his said declaration made in his life time, that since his death he has found among his papers the Commissions herewith annexed showing that he was a Lieutenant. that he believes he was a Lieutenant for a number of years during the war, thereby he was entitled to a pension under the act aforesaid wherefore he prays that whatever pension was due said Thomas may be granted to his children

And he here with produces further proof of his services -
Thomas Field
Feby 24 1835.
Subscribed & sworn to by said Thomas Field, in open Court.
Albert Greene Clerk.

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section. aw aw
July 25, 1924.
Mary Field McCague, 347 N. 41" St. Omaha, Nebr.
Madam:
I have to advise you that from the papers in the pension claim, S. 21198, it appears that Thomas Field was born in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1741.
While living in Scituate, Rhode Island, he was commissioned on June 19, 1775, as Lieutenant of Captain Samuel Wilbur's Fifth Company, or Trained Band of Scituate, Rhode Island and served whenever called upon, until May 1781. He was in Generals Spencer and Sullivan's Expeditions.
He applied for pension, September 21, 1832, while living at Scituate, Rhode Island, where he died January 27, 1833 and the pension due on account of his services was allowed in 1835, to his surviving children: Waterman Field, Peleg Field, Amey wife of Benjamin Medbury, Abagail wife of Job Hill, all of New Berlin, New York; Isaac Field, Thomas Field, Jeremiah Field, Ellen Pratt a widow, all of Scituate, Rhode Island, Molly wife of Job Wilbur of Cranston, Rhode Island and Betsey wife of Emory Hopkins of Foster, Rhode Island.

The name of soldier's wife is not on record, she did not survive him.
A daughter Marcy who married Peleg Fuller, was dead in 1835, leaving children Jeremiah Fuller and Betsey wife of Stephen Angell.
This Bureau is unable to furnish the history of a soldier of the Revolution, unless a claim for pension, or bounty land has been made on account of his service, and a careful search of the records fails to show such claims on file for William, Waterman and Richard Field, or Fields of Rhode Island, or New York.
In order to make a proper search of said records for any particular soldier named John Field, some of the following data is essential: approximate dates of birth and death, places of residence at enlistment and after service and given name of widow.
Respectfully,
Washington Gardner
Commissioner.

H. Doane V.M.
Revolution
21 198 INVALID.
No. 21,198
Thomas Field
Lieut Genl War
at: June 7 th 82 nd
:-Vol. 2 , Page 157
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1908 Mar. 6 Heir. to Thos. 1911 Sept. 6 Heir. to Mrs. Ralph Bayley 1924 July 25. Heir to M. F. McGuire

By his Excellency William Greene Esquire, Governor, Captain-General, and Commander in Chief, of and over the State of Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations.
Thomas Field Gentleman, GREETING.
W TO the said Thomas Field being the General Assembly of this State elected and chosen to the Place and Office of Lieutenant of the Fifth Company or Trained Band of the Town of Situat in the County of Providence in the State aforesaid, are hereby, in the Name of the Governor and Company of the said State, autho- rized, empowered, and commissioned, to exercise the Office of Lieutenant of and over the Company aforesaid: And to command, guide and conduct the same, or any Part thereof: And in Case of an Invasion or Assault of a common Enemy to infest or disturb this Plantation, you are to alarm and gather together the Company under your Command, or such Part thereof as you shall deem sufficient, and therewith, to the ut- most of your Skill and Ability, you are to resist, expel, kill and destroy the same, in order to preserve the Interest of the good People in these Parts. You are also to follow such Instructions, Directions and Orders, as shall from Time to Time be further given forth, either by the General Assembly, the Governor and General Coun- cil, or other your superior Officers. And for your so doing, this Commission shall be your sufficient Warrant and Discharge.
G I V E N under my Hand and Seal of the said State, the Eleventh Day of May in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy-eight.
By his Excellency's Command,
Henry Ward Sery
W. Greene

By the Honorable the GENERAL ASSEMBLY of the English Colony of Rhode-Island , and Providence Plantations , in New-England , in America .
TO Thomas Field
GENT. GREETING.
YOU Thomas Field , being, by the General Assembly aforesaid, elected and chosen to the Place and Office of Lieutenant of the Fifth Company or Train'd Band of the Town of Situat in the County of Providence in the Colony aforesaid, are hereby, in the Name of His Majesty GEORGE the Third by the Grace of God, King of Great-Britain , and so forth, au- thorized, empowered and commissioned, to exercise the Office of Lieutenant of and over the Company aforesaid; and to command, guide and conduct the same, or any Part thereof. And in Case of an Invasion, or Assault of a common Enemy, to infest or disturb this His Majesty's Plantation, you are to alarm and gather together the Company under your Command, or such Part thereof as you shall deem sufficient, and therewith, to the utmost of your Skill and Ability, you are to resist, expel, kill, and destroy them, in order to preserve the Interest of His Majesty and His good Subjects in these Parts. You are also to follow such Instructions, Directions and Orders, as shall, from Time to Time, be further given forth, either by the General Assembly, the Governor and General Council, or other your superior Officers. And for your so doing, this Com- mission shall be your sufficient Warrant and Discharge.
By Virtue of an Act of the said GENERAL ASSEMBLY, I Henry Ward  Esq. Secretary of the said Colony, have hereunto set my Hand, and the Public Seal of the said Colony, this Nineteenth Day of June , A. D. 1775, and in the Fifteenth Year of His said Majesty's Reign.
Henry Ward

Thomas Field Dr.
Suspended
Rhode Island Providence Co Lithgow 29 Sept 35
Wilburn
adm.
7 June 1832

Thomas Fild St dec d
76. St Wilbur. 1 mo
next year 20 ds at Newport & 1 mo. at Giverton.
1 mo. Warwick - & 4 other tours at Warwick) of (one mo. i.e.)

Thomas Field L t died 27. Jany 1838. no widow.
Children
✓ Waterman Field ✓ Peleg Field ✓ Isaac Field ✓ Thomas Field ✓ Jeremiah Field ✓ Ellen Pratt (widow) ✓ Amy Medbury (wife of Benja Medbury) ✓ Abigail Hill (wife of Job Hill) ✓ Betsey Hopkins (wife of Emery Hopkins) ✓ Molly Wilbur (wife of Job Wilbur)

Sir
Providence, June 10 1835
I have been requested to send forward to the pension office, the enclosed claim of Thomas Field or rather of his children. As will appear he made an application before Mr Justin Splin Sept 21 1832 which was sent to the pension office, but departed this life before it was acted upon. Since his death further proof has been obtained. Ten distinct monthly Pensions are procured some of them by two witnesses. But there can be no doubt he served more as it is a well known historical fact that all the militia in this State were closed & one day on duty all the time, for nearly three years - Capt Samuel Wilson was

allowed, if I remember rightly, for ten months & his Lieutenant ought at least to be allowed as much. -
The depositions prove the following monthly tours
Thomas Smith 1 Month Dec r - 76 Stephen Young - 1 do - Feb - 76 1 do - April - do 1 do - Dec - do 1 do - Feb - 77 1 do - Oct - do (Spencer - speed) 1 do - Aug - 78. Saltonstall do 1 do - Dec - do 1 do - not remembered 79 at Bristol 1 do not remembered do at Newport 1 do not remembered do at Newport when the French fleet came in
N.B. It is well known The French fleet came into Newport in August '79.
Samuel Eldred - 1 month March 77 1 do soon after - do 1 do - Nov - do 1 do Aug - 78

In regard to Spencer's Expedition in the fall of 77, it was during the months of October & November. that this expedition took place This will account for the seeming contradic- tion which witnesses sometimes make, in relation to it, Sometimes they testify it was October & sometimes November - I have only to add that I ask for nothing for the king of this man but what is right under the act of leniency & what is right they ought to have -
I am respectfully yours at least Benjamin Cowen
J. Edwards Esq.

State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.
Secretarys Office Nov r 30 A D 1833.
I certify that at the date of the annexed certificate signed in the proper hand writing of William Aplin, the said Aplin was a Justice of the Court of Common Pleas within the County of Providence, duly elected and commissioned; as appears of record in this office.
Witness Henry Bowen Secry.

Providence Oct 6 1835
Sir
Your letter of the 29 th ult has been recd and the applicants to whom it refers shall be informed of its contents. In reference to Thomas Field I herewith enclose a certificate of the Secretary of State shewing his appointment & its continuance for six years. This was all that was wanting as I understood when at Washington. I regret that the original declaration of Thomas Field was drawn up in such a general manner & that it was not returned in season before his death to have it corrected - I presume the rules of your Department were not familiar to him as to the gentleman who drew it up, he ought not therefore be considered in fault for not having it done correctly. - It would however be singular if his claim could not be allowed, when his Captain Samuel Wilbur has been whose original declaration was

drawn up pretty much in the same manner and I think by the same person - It is true Captain Wilbur's claim was returned for correction lest he had become so infirm of memory & had so lost his mind, being nearly 100 years old, that he could not & did not correct it - But his friends forwarded evidence of his services, & among the evidence was the deposition of Stephen Young (whose deposition has been taken for Lieutenant Field) which was deemed satisfactory & a pension was granted, and I think for about the number of months service as proved by Young's testimony - This is all the Representations of Mr Field's now claim, and I must say, this is but reasonable. - It cannot be imagined for a moment but Mr Field did as much service as Capt Wilbur as they both belonged to the same Company acted under the same authority & in obedience to the same law. If one therefore is entitled, the other is, and I would respectfully ask whether under such similar circumstances it would not seem rather arbitrary

to allow the one & reject the other but if, as you observe "his declaration assigns a limit to his claim which his representations cannot exceed" - allow him for what he did H is do, while you say is Seven Months & 20 days. - I firmly think, however, his Representations ought to be allowed, for what is proved, as it was in the case of Wilbur I presume the law I forwarded you was satisfactory as you say nothing to the contrary in your letter. - I am with respect your ob t Serv t Benja Forster
J. L. Edwards, Esq

I Stephen Young of Warwick in the County of Kent but formerly residing in Scituate in the County of Providence where I was born being now in the 77 th year of age on oath do testify & say that from the year 1775 to the end of the war I was in actual service three years five Months & 15 days - In 1776 I was a private in Capt Samuel Wilbur's Company of Militia in said Scituate. Thomas Field was the Lieutenant & Wm Potter the En- sign - I have a distinct recollection of serving a great number of monthly tours of duty with said Thomas, during the War but from this distant period of time I cannot remember all. But I remember the following - The first tour of a month

was at Bristol in February 1776 where we were stationed he was Lieutenant & I a private In April following we served together another Month we were stationed at Warwick Neck. he was Lieutenant & I a Corporal - in December following when the British came into Newport. I remember of serving another Month with him at Bristol I was a Sergeant then he a Lieutenant as aforesaid In the same winter I think in February 1777. I remember of serving another Month with him at Warwick We were under Col John Waterman In May 1777 I enlisted into the fifteen Months service in Col Crarys Regiment & therefore did not serve any more with him until my enlistment expired But during said time I

He frequently saw him on duty as our Reg- iment was frequently stationed near him I remember once in particular in Spencer Expe- dition in October when to my knowledge, his first recollection he served a month at Fiverton where the American Army were encamped -
I further testify that after my enlistment effec- ted I served with him again as I was in said Captain Wilkes Company I remember of serving with him a month in Sullivan Expedition in August 1778 said Field was Lieutenant then also & always through the War.
In December following I remember of serving another month with him our Company was stationed at Warwick In 1779 I remember of serving a month with him at Bristol & when the

the friends fleet come into Newport I remember of serving another month with him at Newport & I remember all these tours distinctly & I have not the least doubt I served others with him. I have not the least doubt said Field served as many as 15 or 16 of these Monthly tours, during the War. as the militia had a great deal of service to perform Stephen Young
Providence R.I. Providence this seventh day of April 1835.
Sworn and Subscribed to before me. and I further Certify that Stephen Young is a credible Person and Witness in the premises
Joseph Hodges Justice of the Peace

State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.
Secretarys office October 6 th A D 1835.
I certify that at the session of the General Assembly of said State held in June seventeen hundred seventy five Thomas Field was elected Lieutenant of the Fifth Company of Infantry in the town of Scituate and County of Providence; and so continued until the May session A D one thousand seven hundred eighty one, when he was superceded. I further certify that during all the foregoing period Samuel Willouby was Captain of said company: as appears of record in this office
Witness Henry Bower Searg.

BY HIS EXCELLENCY,
John Brown Francis
Governor, Captain-General and Commander in Chief of the State of Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations.
BE IT KNOWN, that the name "HENRY BOWEN" to the afore-written attestation subscribed, is the proper hand writing of Henry Bowen, Esquire, who, at the time of subscribing the same, was Secretary of the State aforesaid, duly elected and qualified according to law: Wherefore unto his said attestation full faith and credit are to be rendered.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of said State to be affixed at Prov- idence, this thirtieth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty- three and of Independence the fifty- eighth .
John Brown Francis
BY HIS EXCELLENCY'S COMMAND.
29252 Thomas Field
Declaration

That Field

I Thomas Smith of Scituate in the County of Plymouth being now 73 years of age on oath do testify and say that I was full acquainted with Thomas Field late of said Scituate deceased who was an applicant for a pension, said Thomas died January 27 th 1833 leaving no widow. He left five sons & five daughters, who are living viz Waterman Field Polly Field Sarah Field Thomas Field & Jeremiah Field The daughters living are Ellen Pratt widow Molly Wilbur wife of Job Wilbur Amy Medbury wife of Benjamin Medbury Abigail Hill wife of Job Hill Betsey Hopkins wife of Emery Hopkins. He also left two grand children viz Jeremiah Field & Betsey Angell wife of Stephen Angell who were children of Mary Fuller deceased, who was a daughter of said Thomas — And I further testify that when the British fleet took possession of Newport in the year 1776 in December I remember of serving one month as a private under Captain Samuel Williams Company of which company, said Thomas was Lieutenant, & served a month at that time in said Company we were stationed at Bristol and I further testify that during the time the

British were in possession of Newport The Militia were divided into three classes under the authority of the State & each class had to do duty one third of the time under this arrange- ment. I have no doubt the said Thomas always performed his monthly tours - The British held possession of Newport about three years
Thomas Smith
February 24 - 1835.
Subscribed & sworn to by Thomas Smith, in open Court. (A. Greene Clerk)

I Samuel Eldred of Situate in the County of Providence being now 78 years of age on solemn oath do testify & say that I was well acquainted with Thomas Fidd late of said Situate who was a Lieutenant of Artillery during the Revo- lutionary war & an applicant for a pension - said Thomas was a Lieutenant during all said war in Captain Samuel Wilbarr Company of said Situat and as such performed many services - And I further testify & say that in March 1777 I served one month with him in said Company when we were stationed at Warwick I was Sergeant & he Lieutenant - And I further say that soon after the above service I remember of serving another month with him when we were stationed at Warwick in same company & both in in same capacity - I also remember of of serving another month with him in Sullivan's Expedition in the fall of 1777 & also another month in Sullivan's Expedition in August 1778 - I remember these four months distinctly but I have not the least doubt I served more but cannot remember, - I well remember that

The Militia were divided into classes & one class went at a time I have no doubt said Thomas, served as much as four months each year during the time the British were in possession of Newport which was about three years but I cannot at that distant period particularize the months or places otherwise than above.
Samuel Eldred
Providence R.I. Providence this 26th day of March 1835.
Sworn and subscribed to before me, and I further certify that Samuel Eldred is a credible Witness Person, and witness in the premises.
Joseph Hodges Justice of the Peace
Clerk's Office of the Municipal Court of the City of Providence.
I Albert Greene, Clerk of said Court do hereby certify and attest, that Joseph Hodges, before whom the foregoing Depositions of Stephen Young and Samuel Eldred was taken, is now, and was at the time of the taking of said Depositions, a Justice of the Peace in said County, duly authorized and empowered to administer oaths, and take Depositions. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and have affixed the seal of said Court, this 26th day of May A.D. 1835.
Albert Greene Clerk

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that said Thomas Field the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and that he served at least twelve months. And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Thomas Smith and Samuel Eldred who have signed the preceding certificates are both residents in the town of Smithfield, and that their statements are entitled to credit; and that Stephen Young, who has signed a preceding Certificate, is a resident in the town of Warwick, in the County of Kent, and that his statement is entitled to credit.
And satisfactory proof has also been adduced to said Court, that said Thomas Field, made an application for a pension from the United States before William Aplin Esq., a Justice of the Court of Common Pleas, within and for the County of Providence on the 28 th day of September, A.D. 1832; that he died in the County of Providence on the day of January 1833, that he is now dead, and that he left no widow; and that the following persons are his children, and are still living, viz Waterman Field, Abigail Field, Sarah Field, Thomas Field, and Jeremiah Field, Ellen Pratt, widow; - Molly Wilbur, wife of Job. Wilbur, Amey Medbury wife of Benjamin Medbury, Abigail Hill, wife of Job Hill, Betsey Hopkins wife of Emory Hopkins; and that the said Thomas Field also left two grand children, viz Jeremiah Fuller & Betsey Angell, children of Marcy

Fuller who was a daughter of said Thomas Field, and is now deceased, and who, when living, was the wife of Peleg Fuller, and that said grandchildren are now living and are over twenty one years of age, and that they are the only children and descendants of said Thomas Field.
I, Albert G. Greene, Clerk of said Court, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Thomas Field for a pension, & of his heirs.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and the Seal of said Court, this twenty-sixth day of May A.D. 1835.
Albert G. Greene Clerk

I John Hammond of Taunton in the State of Rhode Island aged 75 years and sworn according to law depose and say that I served in Newport in this State twenty days in company of Rhode Island Militia, Mr Thomas Field of Scituate now an applicant for a pension for services rendered by him in the revolutionary war was Lieutenant during said time and served faithfully said official This was in Sullivan's expedition and was in the year 1779 In the same year I believe in December I served for one month in Bristol in the same company a company com- manded by Capt. Wilburn Sheldon, during this month said Field was in Bristol as Lieutenant in the same company he was in at Newport, I was also in the company wherein said Field was Lieutenant for one month more and was stationed at Scituate in this State. I have always been acquainted with said Field for fifty or sixty years. He has been a member of the Church in Taunton for many years of which I am the Pastor is of good standing in the Society he is a man of undoubted truth and veracity and his statements are fully entitled to credit. I believe him to be of the age of ninety one years ————— John Hammond
I Thomas Smith of Scituate in the State of Rhode Island now aged seventy one years of age, and sworn according to law, depose and say that I served in the Revolutionary war, for one month in a company of Militia commanded by Capt. Samuel Wilburn, Mr. Thomas Field of said Scituate now aged ninety one years an applicant for a pension for services rendered by him in said war, was with as a Lieutenant in said company, during said month. We were stationed at Bristol in this State, during said month. I frequently afterward, during the war, went upon short excursions with said Field in cases of alarm. I have been acquainted with said Field for the last sixty years. It has always been understood in his neighborhood, that he served much in the war in which opinion I fully concur. He is a man of unquestionable truth and veracity and his statements are fully entitled to credit.
Thomas Smith

Providence R.I. September 21. 1892
Then the within certificates were severally sworn and subscribed before me. And I further certify that said John Hammond who has subscribed the within certificate is a clergyman resident in the Town of Foster adjoining the Town of Scituate and that Thomas Smith, also signer of the within certificate is a resident in the Town of Scituate is a credible person and that their statements are entitled to credit.
N. D. Aplin Jr. C.C.P.

29252
Thomas Field Sec.
R. I.

adm?
Yrs. 20 ds Lieut.
$102:22 from 4 march 1833 to 27 Jany 1833.
To the chieftain -

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Jan. 29. 1884
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Thomas Field
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.              
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
JAMES L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }  On this                      day of                      personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of                      in the county of                      and State, Territory or District of                      aged (c)                      years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d)                      , with                      and served in the                      (e) regiment of the                      line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched.  This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I                      of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of                      for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of                      &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the                      and C. D. residing in (the same)                      , who has hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with                      , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the                      and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the                      and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I,                      Clerk of the Court of                      do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this                      day of                      &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his
The declarant says he has sent his Commission as Lieutenant with the papers in that there must

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
be some mistake as no such paper is to be found amongst them

Omaha, Nebr.
June 24, 1924/
Pension Department
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
Will you kindly inform me if there was a William, Thomas, John or or Waterman Field or Richard Field, drawing a pension for the Revolutionary War? I wish to join Daughters of Founders of America through the Field line. They lived in Providence R.I. Scituate, R.I. and New Berlin, N.Y.
Sincerely
Mary Field McEague 247 No 41 st St

164 Marquette St. La Salle Ill.
Aug. 27-1911.
Commissioner of Pensions Wash. D. C.
Dear Sir
Will you kindly send to me the Revolutionary War record of Thomas Field (Field) of Rhode Island . A copy of a special commission granted him, unasked, by the government is in the possession of a great Uncle of mine

James Field, residing at Sharon Wis.
Please forward any information concerning B 21.198 Field or Thomas Field and
o also Peter Wallette . I am uninformed of his place of residence at time of entering Rev. war service.
Your favor will be greatly appreciated by Mrs. Ralph Bayley.

Office of * * *
THOS. H. DOANE Ear CONTRACTOR AND BUILDER
Contracts Solicited for all Kinds of Buildings Fine Residence Work a Specialty Jobbing Promptly Attended to
TELEPHONE CONNECTION
101 Chapin Avenue * *
Providence, R. I. Feb. 28 1908
Commissioner of Pensions, Dear Sir,
Will you kindly send me the pension records of the Thomas Fields of Rhode Island of the Revolutionary War, and oblige
Yours Truly
Thos. H. Doane,